Women with Children


Volunteers of America has long recognized the need to develop gender-specific models of treatment for women parenting children. Children are often wounded and are in need of intensive therapy type services to overcome the trauma and chaos that is most often involved in the parent’s substance abuse. Volunteers of America assists women to break the cycle of addiction while at the same time learning to become better parents. Children are also considered in the treatment process and are given specialized materials to assist them living healthy lives.

 A child sitting at a table

Featured Program: The Grace House

Imagine with me, if you will, what Julie looks like. She is someone who could be anyone’s sister, co-worker or daughter. She is average height, has long light-brown hair she keeps pulled back from her face in a ponytail and has a bit of a Louisville drawl. Add a little bit of sass and street smarts to that vision and you have Julie. Julie grew up in a household where both parents were dependent on alcohol. Her father moved out and away from the family, and Julie lost contact with him during her formative years. Julie grew up under her mother’s care, and faced many difficulties as a teenager and young woman. When she was in her early 20s, she found herself without a lot of family support; and because she had no where to go, she lived in her car.